With the beginning of fall practice tomorrow for the University of Alabama, the 2008 football season is officially within reach. Alabama fans all across the nation are getting set for one of the most anticipated seasons in recent memory. It has been a very long time since the Tide Nation could look forward to a season with a head coach at the helm who has National Championship experience, a quarterback who has three years of solid play, and an incoming freshmen class that was rated number one in the nation. The season opener against Clemson is quickly approaching, and the stakes are being raised.

As the step is made from the 2007 rebuilding year to now, there are many expectations that are being placed on the Tide. Many prognosticators believe Alabama will experience the same medial success that they have had over the past few years. However, those closer to the program and situation realize that the Tide is rising, and can only wait to see it happen. As a part of the first article for the 2008 season on thecrimsonpride.net, we’ll take a look at the Crimson Tide’s upcoming fall practice storylines, their incoming impact players, and make a prediction for the season opener against Clemson.

The Tide begin fall practice with many question marks on their depth chart. Earlier today, Coach Nick Saban revealed that Prince Hall is back with the team and will sit out the first three games of the season with a suspension. Likewise, Saban indicated that Jermaine Preyear would not be able to join the team until January due to a shoulder injury. These are only the beginning headlines in a promising upcoming fall camp. Stay tuned to thecrimsonpride.net for more coverage throught the sesason.

With the announcement that Prince Hall is returning, the questions marks increase for the list of touted freshmen coming to the Capstone this fall. The Crimson Tide signed the best recruiting class in the nation in February, and these are bringing a brand new vibe to campus. Julio Jones is the first name that comes to mind when speaking of players-to-watch. Jones is a sure shot for playing time this year, and could break the starting lineup at somepoint. Another future star is Jerrell Harris, who is already turning heads on campus. The linebacker is physically larger than many seasoned veterans, and is already starting the fall camp on the outside. Harris has a great chance to gain playing time, and will surely add a spark to the Tide defense this fall. Finally, Mark Ingram is likely to turn heads during the fall practice and during the 2008 season. Ingram was one of the Tide’s most touted recruits coming out of high school (Flint, Michigan), and his potential is promising. These players will surely be known by the time fall practice ends, but there will inevitiably be other freshmen to stand out.

As the Tide hit the practice field to get ready for the upcoming season, predicitons are already being handed out. Many analysts and magazines have Alabama finishing at 7-5 or 8-4. However, with a team this talented, anything can happen. First things first though, Clemson. On August 31st the Tide will open their 2008 season in the Georgia Dome in what is sure to be a hard-fought battle. The Tigers are highly talented and are coming off a great season. With running backs like Davis and Spiller, the Tigers are going to hit the ground running on the 31st, and they don’t plan to look back. The Tide, however, plan on not allowing this to happen. With the addition of Jim McElwain as offensive coordinator in the off-season, the Crimson Tide plan to add a little spice to their sometimes stagnant offense from last season. The impact of Alabama’s freshmen class will be evident on defense, and the Tide will hope to slam the door shut on Clemson’s high-powered ACC offense.

Final Score Prediction: Clemson - 24 Alabama- 28

Stay tuned to thecrimsonpride.net for more coverage throught the sesason.

TUSCALOOSA | Former University of Alabama gymnast Terin Humphrey, a two-time NCAA event champion during her Crimson Tide tenure, was inducted into the USA Gymnastics Hall of Fame recently as part of the 2003 World Championship team. Read More

By: VaBeachBama08

Jordan Barnes, a 6′0 inside linebacker from Fort Wayne, has been gaining attention from schools from all across the nation. He runs a 4.5 forty yard dash,and has offers lined up from some of the top school across the nation. With offers from Alabama, Baylor, Wisconsin, Purdue, and Houston, and many other schools in constant contact with him.

“My recruitment has gone really well so far. I have a lot of options, but I want to get out and see a few more schools before I make my final decision.”

Recently, Jordan was contacted by Alabama Running Backs coach Bobby Williams. He was told that he was going to receive an offer, but they wanted him to come meet with coach Saban. This past week, this came to reality. Barnes came down with his mother and toured the campus and got to see every aspect of Alabama. When he met with Coach Saban, he received an offer. “He told me that they really want me to play middle linebacker in his system.”

“[After the trip] Alabama is on the top of my list right now, and Wisconsin is probably second. I still have to check out Ohio State and see what it is like.”

Barnes was thoroughly impressed with the University as a whole, but he was even more impressed with the coaches. “What intrigues me most about Alabama is the fact that everyone on the entire staff has a winning attitude and I feel very comfortable around them.”

Jordan knows what he is looking for in a school, and that is surely making his recruitment easier. “I’m really looking for a program and a place that I feel comfortable with, however, the most important thing is to be at a place that I think is going to win a national championship.”

” [Right now] I am just taking things one step at a time. I am really thinking about everything and going over it with my parents to see what they think. I don’t think I will be deciding in the near future. I would say the early fall would be more likely.”

Barnes weighs 225 pounds and claims a 38 inch vertical leap. Stay tuned to thecrimsonpride.net for more coverage of the 2009 recruiting class.

By: VaBeachBama08

The Alabama Crimson Tide are fresh off their amazing 2008 recruiting class, but nothing is stopping Coach Saban from getting a head start on 2009. Offers have been handed out to prospects all across the nation, and the talent level that this coaching staff is going after is amazing. Recently, Coach Saban extended an offer to Gastonia, South Carolina’s Jheranie Boyd. Boyd is fresh off an amazing junior year, and will be looking to improve in 2009.

Name: Jheranie Boyd

Height: 6′3

Weight: 180 pounds

Forty Yard Dash: 4.45 Seconds

Offers: Alabama, Clemson, Maryland, Mississippi State, North Carolina, NC State, Wake Forest

Boyd is sure to gain a lot more attention from schools across the country when the 2009 recruiting season officially kicks into high gear. He caught 47 passes this past season for a total of 1,044 yards and 17 touchdowns. Boyd also has a 41-inch vertical leap. Coaches have noted his excellent hands. At the moment, Boyd does not have any favorites. However, when as his stock continues to rise, look for Boyd to narrow his list down soon. Stay tuned to thecrimsonpride.net for more 2009 recruiting coverage, and much, much more.

By: VaBeachBama08

Sam Montgomery has been one of the hottest names on Alabama’s defensive prospect list for 2009 thus far. The 6′5 defensive end from Greenwood, South Carolina has been racking up offers from all over the country. Montgomery’s 4.4 speed is what most college coaches are drooling over. He has the power to blow people off the line and can and will be a surmountable force in the pass rushing game in college.

Montgomery has been receiving interest for a while, and has quite a large list of schools that have offered him a scholarship. “So far I have offers Southern California, Miami, Alabama, Maryland, UNC, NC State, Clemson and South Carolina.” 

While he admits that Clemson the school he knows the most about, Sam is very quick to let it be known that every school is in the running for his signature. “As it stands right now, I do not have any favorites. I’m wide open.”

During his recruitment there will be some very key points that play into where he signs. ” To tell you the truth, the thing I really want is to go to a school with great academics. I also want to be able to major in accounting, so I really want to go t oa school that will have this option for me.  However, their academic program needs to be just as strong as their football program. 

“I also want to go to a school where there is a brotherhood amongst the players, the coaches and the people all around you. I want it go to a place that is like one big family. I think this is important because when their are hard times along the way, they will go by easier, and we will all be working hard towards one main goal — a championship.”

Alabama’s fan base is one of the most intriguing things about Alabama, and the support the Tide received at last year’s A-Day game has not ceased to impress recruits. “I think that Alabama has a really solid program to be attracting so many people to a spring game. The coaches must know how to coach, the team must know how to win, and it seems like [football]  never gets ‘old’ in Alabama. “

Montgomery received an offer over the past month from Coach Saban, and has continued to receive interest from Alabama and other schools as well. “My coach tells me that Alabama has a really strong program. He said the had  one of the top recruiting classes in the nation, and that is amazing.

“With those two things being said, if you have the respect of Coach Saban and you see they had the top recruiting class in the nation , I think it is worth taking a good look and seeing what they have to offer. “

Montgomery is currently finishing up his Junior year in high school. He plays basketball and is finishing up that season as well. He has a 2.9 GPA, and is taking the SAT in March and the ACT in April.

Greenwood, South Carolina standout Sam Montgomery has been gaining a lot of attention recently. The weakside defense end from Greenwood High School is coming off a stellar Junior season where he racked up 15 sacks and 20 tackles for loss. Montgomery has been gaining attention from many of the top schools from around the nation, and is planning visits to many of the schools that are after him. Let’s take a closer look at Sam Montgomery.

Name: Sam Montgomery

Height: 6′5

Weight: 235 pounds

Forty Yard Dash: 4.44 Seconds

Grade Point Average: 3.0

Offers: Alabama, Clemson, Maryland, Miami, North Carolina, N.C. State, South Carolina, Southern California

Favorites: Alabama, UNC, N.C. State, Clemson. and Southern California

Montgomery is also a basketball player for Greenwood and is currently participating and finishing up the basketball. He tells thecrimsonpride.net “I want to go to a school I am comfortable with all-around. I really don’t have a favorite right now, because I’m learning about these schools. However, Clemson is the school that is pressing on me the hardest, and I know the most about them.” Montgomery plans to wait until or close to signing day in 2009. Stay tuned to thecrimsonpride.net for more updates on 2009 recruits and supreme University of Alabama coverage.

By: VaBeachBama08

Clint Moseley is one of the top quarterback prospects in the southeast for the 2009 recruiting season. The quarterback from Leroy High School in Leroy, Alabama led his team to the 2A Alabama State Championship this past season. Clint was named the MVP of the game, and also was a 2A All-State choice. He threw for over 3,300 yards and 28 touchdowns, and he also ran for more than 800 yards and 11 touchdowns. Here is a quick look at Leroy’s Clint Moseley.

Name: Clint Moseley

Height: 6′4

Weight: 196 pounds

Forty Yard Dash: 4.8 Seconds

Favorites: Alabama, Auburn, Mississippi, Mississippi State, SEC schools in general.

Lately, Moseley has seen his stock rise a lot. He attended Alabama’s Junior Day and has since spoken on his feelings for Alabama. “Alabama has not given me an offer yet, but I can only imagine what it would be like to play for Alabama. It would be awesome.”

Clint knows what he is looking for in a school, and this is going to play a key part in his recruitment. “I am looking for a school that fits me best, not anyone else. I want to attend a school that knows how to win and can get me to be the best I can be in the classroom and on the field as well. Unlike many other, early playing time is not something I see as a necessity, but I do want to play as soon as I can. It just depends on what plays out.”

Clint runs a 4.8 forty yard dash and also holds his own in the classroom. Clint reports a 3.7 GPA.

By: VaBeachBama08

St Paul’s A.J. McCarron has been one of the most talented quarterbacks in the state of Alabama since his Sophomore year of high school. The 4-Star quarterback accumulated an amazing stat sheet this past year throwing for 2,532 yards and 26 touchdowns.

McCarron has been accumulating a lot of attention from programs across the country. “I’ve picked up some recent offers. I got an offer from Georgia, Oklahoma ,Miami, and West Virginia recently. All of these schools have offered me within the past few weeks.”

The Crimson Tide, who have been rumored to be one of McCarron’s favorites, just recently finished off the top recruiting class in the nation. This is sure to have a direct effect on some recruits mindsets heading into the 2009 class. A.J. said, “The recruiting class as a whole really doesn’t have a big effect on me at all. I’ve made a commitment to myself to go in, and if I wanna attend there, I’ll get early playing time by earning it. As a quarterback, I believe you have to have that type of confidence, because if you don’t you are hurting in the mental part of the game. “

“I’m happy for Alabama, especially Coach Saban and Coach Thompson. Likewise, I’m happy for Alabama fans. Hopefully, Alabama will get back on track to winning national championships like they used to do.”

McCarron is a three sport athlete, and tells thecrimsonpride.net that he really has no focus on one certain thing in the process thus far. ” I’m not focusing on one thing really. My main focus is to help my other teams out. I play three sports and I really don’t take a day off the entire year.” ” When coaches come down and talk, I will talk to them, but other than that I am so busy that I leave a lot of that up to my parents and my coaches right now.”

Alabama’s fan base has been very integral in the recruitment of many players for the 2008 class. Coach Saban stated in his signing day press conference that many recruits noted and were amazed at ‘Bama Nation’s dedication. This was evident at the A-Day game. This also is having a lasting effect on 2009 prospects. A.J. commented on this very topic. “The dedication of the fans and their turnout for the A-Day game is great for the program. I really think it went to help Alabama out tremendously. ” ” For Coach Saban to have that kind of support behind him, and the fans knowing that it’s going to take some time to build this program back up, I feel the support he has is a huge thing for him. “

McCarron’s list of scholarship offers has been astounding, and lately he has listed 5 favorites. “I like Oklahoma, Alabama, LSU, Miami, and Georgia. They are my five favorites right now.”

The Alabama coaching staff has been on A.J. for a long time now, and he is very intrigued by them. “I love the coaching staff. To me, I think they have the best assistants in the nation. They have the best mix, with a couple older coaches and a few younger ones, that you could possibly have on your staff. Coach Pendry is really fun to be around because of his sense of humor, and Coach Thompson is awesome. He’s an older guy, but he’s just like a younger guy. He reminds me a lot of my father. I have a blast when I go up there.”

A.J. also tells thecrimsonpride.net that he plans to major in Communications or Sports Management.

By: VaBeachBama08

As the 2009 recruiting season kicks into gear, Alabama is setting forth in their pursuit of another national recruiting title. D.J. Fluker remains Alabama’s sole commitment for the 09 class, but it is widely expected for more prospects to begin jumping on the bandwagon soon. Today’s article is the first in an installment I will be doing. I will be giving a synopsis and overview of some of Alabama’s top targets. Today’s prospect is St. Paul’s A.J. McCarron.

Name: A.J. McCarron

Height: 6′4

Weight: 180 lbs

Forty Yard Dash: 4.8 seconds

Offers/Favorites: Alabama, LSU, Oklahoma, Georgia, Auburn

A.J. is a very talented quarterback that brings a lot to the table. This past season McCarron threw for a whopping 2,532 yards and 26 touchdowns. Amazingly, A.J. only threw 3 interceptions the entire season. Add that to an already impressive repertoire of stats and you get an insanely talented athlete with over 15 scholarship offers. McCarron visited Alabama on numerous occasions this past season and is fully aware of what the Tide brings to the table, as well as his chances to crack the lineup. We will continue to watch A.J.’s recruitment closely. He has stated openly that he plans to commit in the spring. 

TUSCALOOSA | Brittany Rogers would make a great waitress.The junior outfielder for the second-ranked University of Alabama softball team spent Friday setting the table and serving up runs. The native of Dacula, Ga., reached base safely seven of the eight times she came to the plate and scored five runs to lead the Crimson Tide to a pair of victories, 10-2 over New Mexico and 6-0 over Middle Tennessee.  Read More